Middle English Dictionary Entry
bidel n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bidel n. Also budel, (SW) beodel, (Ayenb.) bedel; & bēdel. |
| Etymology | OE bydel (akin to bēodan command, summon, announce) & OF bedel, ML bedellus (from Gmc.); ME bidel is replaced by OF bedel c1375. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
One who makes announcements or carries messages and performs other services on the authority of a lord, court, guild, etc.; herald, town crier, summoner; ~ hod, a beadle's hood; ~ land (a field name); ~ of dai, chanticleer (used fig.).
Associated quotations
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)97 : Rihht swa summ bidell birrþ ben sennd To ȝarrkenn & to greȝȝþenn Onnȝæn hiss laferrd.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1169 : Dahet euer suich budel in tune Þat euer bodeþ unwreste rune An euer bringeþ vuele tiþinge.
- (a1252) Cust.Rent in OSSLH 2103 fn. : Acra et dimidia prati que vocantur Budelland.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.177 : It was opounly cried by þe kynges criers and bedelles.
- (1418) Grocer Lond.in Bk.Lond.E.196/58 : They schull haue a bedyl, to warne and somune the feleschyp als oft tymes as he is boden be the wardeyns.
- (1418) Grocer Lond.in Bk.Lond.E.197/62 : The Bedel schall haue for hys trauayle..v marc a ȝer, a Gown, mete and drynk.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.41.43 : Criynge a bedel [WB(2): bidele; L præcone], that alle men shulden bifore hym knele.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.37/2 : The bedyl or forcryer.
- (1444) Acc.Bk.Carpenter Co.10 : For ye Bedell hode, v s.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2294 : Beddels [vr. Bedels] and bailyfs he bad on brad crie Be-fore his pupill.
- (1467) Ordin.Gild Merch.Bristol17 : Cheese alsoe..ij Byddles which shall occupie as Byddilles and Brookers for the said yere, and to be attendaunt upon the said maister and wardeines.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.247 : A bydelle [Trev.: cryour; L præco] or the crier of the cite.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)33.1 : The prophet, at the likynynge of a bedel, that eftere the victory cries that all the land is the victors.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)472/16 : The bedell off dey and mesanger of grace Resowneth now..The noyous night a wey from vs to chare; Owr cok is crist.
2.
(a) A minor official of a lord, manor, town, or law court, such as an under-bailiff, tax collector, warrant officer, constable, beadle; (b) a minor executive officer of a university, beadle.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)989 : Þe budeles and þe oþur schrewes..a-biden þe kinges heste, In prisone him to caste.
- a1350 Ich herdemen (Hrl 2253)37 : Ȝet comeþ budeles..'greyþe me seluer!'
- a1350 Ich herdemen (Hrl 2253)51 : Comeþ þe maister budel, brust ase a bore.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)37 : Þe ontrewe reuen..and bedeles..þet..wyþdraȝeþ þe rentes of hire lhordes.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.2 : Now is Meede..Wiþ Beodeles [B: bedellus; C bedeles] and Baylyfs I-brouht to þe kyng.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12914 : Als bedel gais be-for iustis, Als come þou be-for þat rightwis.
- (a1419) Doc.in Bk.Lond.E.227/53 : Sir Richard and his officers, agayns the tenure of hire holdyng..makis hem Bedelles, and aftirward woll yeve hem none acquytance.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6812 : Bailifs, bedels, provost, contours, These lyven wel nygh by ravyne.
- (a1443) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.39 : The lawe and the custume of the roialme of Englond ys, that no man religious shall be chosen bailly, bedell [etc.].
- (1447) Indent.Oxf.in RS 50.2565 : Whyche goodys and catellys weren preysed..and sworne upon a boke before Rychard Osborn, bedelle.
- (1447) Rec.Norwich 1118 : Conestables and a Bedill, to helpe to kepe pees.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest M.7 Boys (SeldSup 52)st.4 : Vnto barre sone were þei broyȝt with bedels.
- (1462-3) Reg.Chanc.Oxf.in OHS 94101 : Theys beyn the godes of Syre W. Lydbery that byn praysyd by..Jhon Harys, bydull & supervysor.
b
- (c1456) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35336 : The offyce of the gentylman bedle of youre universite.
- (c1458) Let.Oxf.in OHS 36344 : Þe styward of þe Universyte and..also al bedyllys, with there dailly servantz.
3.
Theol. (a) A messenger or delegate (of God); also, precursor (of Christ); (b) develes ~, servant of the Devil (referring to a heathen's court official).
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)633 : Cristess bidell, Sannt Johan.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.VA (Lamb 487)117 : Þe biscop..godes budel is and to larþeawe iset þan leawede folke.
- a1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)237 : Bedeles and laðieres..archebiscopes and biscopes, prestes and hare ȝegeng.
- a1350 Middelerd for mon (Hrl 2253)5 : A blisse budel vs bad, þe dreri domes-dai to drede.
- c1425 Interpol.Rolle Ps.(3) (Lamb 34:Everett)389 : Be man neuer so holy sett in most hiȝe dignite of þe chirche..he is but as a bedel crying þe lordis wille.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)73.169 (v.2:p.51) : In the article of his deth he cessid nat to ben a bedel or a cryer.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)107.5,12 (v.2:p.157) : Iohan Baptist .. is clepid .. the iugis bedel, and .. in that he is clepid the iugis bedel is notid his priuilege in prechyng.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)364 : Dethe is..the betille of hym that made hevyn and Erth.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)553 : [Me] brohte hire uorð as beliales budel bet ant bunden hire.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1905 : Hwil þe king weol..of wreððe, com a burhreue, as þe þet wes þes deoules budel.